Professor Claire Dunlop conferred as a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences

Professor Claire Dunlop joins the fellowship – made up of the world’s leading minds in the social sciences – in recognition of her impact beyond academia working with international organisations such as the World Bank, OECD and Health and Safety Executive.

The Academy of Social Sciences is the national academy of academics, learned societies and practitioners in the social sciences. Its mission is to promote social science in the United Kingdom for the public benefit.

Professor Dunlop is part of the Politics department at Exeter and is a specialist in the impact of scientific knowledge, ideas and learning in the policy process. Her work on impact assessment, policy learning and accountability tools is extensively used by scholars and policy-makers in policy analysis and regulatory practice. She has published widely, leads Exeter’s Impact Acceleration Account, edits the journal Public Policy and Administration and was elected as a trustee of the Political Studies Association (PSA) in 2018.

Professor Dunlop said: “This huge honour recognises the importance of getting high quality social research into policy-making. I would like to thank my colleagues (past and present) at Exeter, where I have worked for 15 years, for our rich policy research and impact culture. I also want to thank my brilliant colleagues at the Political Studies Association for their continued help, encouragement and friendship".

Fellows of the academy have been recognised after an extensive peer review process for the excellence and impact of their work through the use of social science for public benefit. This includes substantial contributions and leadership in various fields, including higher education, social, economic and environmental policy, government, law, charitable foundations and think tanks. A total of 21 academics from the University of Exeter are currently fellows.

Professor Neil Gow, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Impact, said: “This is an exceptional achievement, and recognition of Claire’s significant impact in the field of public policy. We are incredibly proud of Claire and warmly congratulate her on this notable achievement”

Professor Roger Goodman, Chair of the academy, said: “We are delighted to welcome 65 eminent Fellows to the Academy of Social Sciences. Each Fellow has been recognised for their exceptional contribution to the social sciences. We believe they will be an invaluable asset to the Academy’s growing reach as the representative voice of the social sciences in the UK.”